Common English Mistakes in Business Emails by German Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native German speakers from Germany when writing a Business Email in English.

Mistake Example #1

Capitalizing all nouns (following German grammar rules)

Subject: Request for Meeting Dear Mr. Schmidt, I am writing to discuss the Pprogress of our Pproject and the next Ssteps we need to take. It is important that we align our Sstrategies to ensure the Ssuccess of the Iinitiative. Could we schedule a Mmeeting for next Wweek to go over the Ddetails? Please let me know your Aavailability. Thank you for your Aattention to this Mmatter.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"Only proper nouns should be capitalized. Capitals are not necessary for common nouns (non-specific people, places, things, or ideas)."

Subject: Request for Meeting Dear Mr. Schmidt, I am writing to discuss the progress of our project and the next steps we need to take. It is important that we align our strategies to ensure the success of the initiative. Could we schedule a meeting for next week to go over the details? Please let me know your availability. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Subject: Request for Meeting Dear Mr. Schmidt, I am writing to discuss the Progress of our Project and the next Steps we need to take. It is important that we align our Strategies to ensure the Success of the Initiative. Could we schedule a Meeting for next Week to go over the Details? Please let me know your Availability. Thank you for your Attention to this Matter.

Mistake Example #2

Overuse of passive voice

Dear Mr. Schmidt,I’m writing isto informedyou that the meeting wills bescheduled fonr Thursday at 10 AM. TWe've prepared the agenda has been preparedand will besharedit with all participants. It iPlease requviested thatw the necessary documents are reviewedbeforethe meetiangd. Ifyou need to suggest any changesare needed, lethey ushknould be communicatedw by Wednesday.Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to reduce the use of passive voice."

Dear Mr. Schmidt, I’m writing to inform you that the meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 10 AM. We've prepared the agenda and will share it with all participants. Please review the necessary documents beforehand. If you need to suggest any changes, let us know by Wednesday. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Dear Mr. Schmidt, it is informed that the meeting will be held on Thursday at 10 AM. The agenda has been prepared and will be shared with all participants. It is requested that the necessary documents are reviewed before the meeting. If any changes are needed, they should be communicated by Wednesday. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Mistake Example #3

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

Subject: Proposal Review Meeting Dear Mr. Schmidt, I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to discuss the proposal, which you have submitted last week. It is important that we review the document thoroughly, so we can ensure all details are correct. Could you please let me know when you have time for a meeting, so we can go through the points together? I look forward to your response, so we can proceed efficiently. Thank you for your cooperation.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"There aren't any issues with the word order."

Subject: Proposal Review Meeting Dear Mr. Schmidt, I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to discuss the proposal, which you have submitted last week. It is important that we review the document thoroughly, so we can ensure all details are correct. Could you please let me know when you have time for a meeting, so we can go through the points together? I look forward to your response, so we can proceed efficiently. Thank you for your cooperation.

Subject: Proposal Review Meeting Dear Mr. Schmidt, I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to discuss the proposal, which you have submitted last week. It is important that we review the document thoroughly, so we can ensure all details are correct. Could you please let me know when you have time for a meeting, so we can go through the points together? I look forward to your response, so we can proceed efficiently. Thank you for your cooperation.